Few people can say they have covered the Raptors for the 20 years of their existence. Doug Smith is one of them. Join him for the latest from around the NBA, current events and anything else he decides to talk about.

All of this weekend’s mail

Don’t forget to be back here around 7 tonight for our IGBT. Should be fun.

Good day, folks.

Not an awful lot here but enough to get you through the day. I may have missed one or two but I’ll try to get to them in the next couple of days if I remember.

And don’t forget to be back here around 7 tonight for our IGBT. Should be fun.

-

Q: Hi Doug,

I was checking my fantasy brackets and it looks like even if Atlanta beat Indiana they still won't play the Heat (assuming they win their series). What is the order of things in the next round?

Second, a few weeks ago I was reading an article on
SI.com
about the resurgence of Canadian talent and how it has changed the recruitment habits and procedures of the NCAA teams. They interviewed a number of the young top Canadian talent and they mostly attributed their starting interest in Basketball on the days of Vince Carter With the Raps. Hate to start the discussion again but with his connection to NJ and his haterd in Toronto I thought I should mention his undeniable affect on Canadian Basketball and it's future. I would definitely welcome him back to Toronto maybe even like Alvin W was brought back. As a consultant or assistant or something. Your opinion?

And, no on Vince. First, he’s not done playing and, second, I don’t they need to offer him employment as a consultant or coach or Global Ambassador Redux, even if it’s something he would consider.

He did have a tremendous impact on the young players who are making their mark on the game these days, there is no doubt of that. But I don’t think there’s a need to do anything special to say thanks.

He did make a helluva shot Saturday, though, didn’t he?

-

Q: "What do you do with a problem like Pierce?" Maybe they start 2Pat on him, let Amir come off the bench? From what I saw, 2Pat defended him reasonably well, and he's shooting very well (2 free-throws excepted).

Maybe 2Pat's ablility to spread the floor a bit better than Amir lets them play Fields more on Johnson? Just a thought.

Brad W

A: The only real and true impact Pierce has had on the series, to tell the absolute truth, has been in the final six minutes of Game 1, it’s far more Deron Williams and Joe Johnson so I would do nothing with Amir other than what they are doing, letting him start and using Patterson as a scorer off a bench that has little pop to it most nights.

So I wouldn’t change a thing there.

-

Q: Hi Doug

Walked to seven sports bars in a new neighbourhood on Friday night, looking for the game. In one, a fight was breaking out just as I opened the door. Others were showing pucks. The one we eventually chose was full of amazing loud fans who booed and cheered as if we were there. I'm sure I'll be back on Sunday, and hopefully later rounds too.

Anyway, I've seen Dwight Buycks cheering from the bench, and it raised the question: how are players paid in the playoffs, especially if they have a DNP-CD or don't dress? I know you've addressed similar things before but I figured you were the man who could give us a solid answer.

Thanks!

Kate

A: Not sure I have had this one before, thanks.

All the players on a team’s roster get the same playoff “bonus” pay since salaries only go from late October until late April. So that goes for active and inactives, 40-minute guys and DNP-CDs.

-

Q: Obviously the loss last night was tough and the turnovers for all three games have been rough, but having watch the HOTH first payoff series with NY (Vince & Tracy's first series) as well as Chris Bosh's first series and how they handled the playoffs - I have been very impressed with Demar and JV. Both stepped up to the pressure of the increased defensive scrutiny.

Do you agree this bodes well for the future of this group and what are the needs in the offseason- another big and a defensive stopper?

MD-Rap

A: Sure, it bodes well, just like Ross’s struggles bode much less than well.

Needs? They have to get quicker and bigger – the bench is woefully slow, the frontcourt needs a big body – and they have to decide how much they’ll offer Lowry and then decide what they want to do with Vasquez, Patterson, Salmons and Hansbrough. Oh, and the coach, too.

Lots to do and it’s silly to prioritize it, you deal with what comes up when it comes up.

But make no mistake, Masai still has plenty of very important work to do.

-

Q: Hello Doug

I am a little surprised that Chuck Hayes and Nando de Colo haven't seen more time in the series. Both contributed important minutes during the last stretch of the regular season, and with the defensive lapses the Raptors seem to be having against the Nets, those two could contribute

something to the team. Your thoughts would be appreciated.

I agree with your comments on T Ross and his need for playoff

experience. I also think that this off-season is going to be important for him to improve his game generally. He has to show that he cares and is willing to work as hard as DeRozan has to get better. You have already suggested DD needs to work on his ball-handling skills - what is the most important thing for T Ross to work on this summer?

SWH

A: Given that it’s Johnson and Williams creating most of the havoc, I don’t think there’s any room in what’s a tighter post-season rotation for either Hayes or De Colo. I could see Nandomania running amok as a third or fourth guard if they give up totally on Ross but I don’t know how likely that is. DeColo’s passing skills might be valuable in making Brooklyn pay for double-teams and over-played defence.

Ross? The summer? Everything. Ball-handling, mid-range game, three-point shooting, lateral quickness, attacking the rim, rebounding. There isn’t a single part of his game that doesn’t need work and one isn’t really more important than the others at this point.

-

Doug,

Now that Not Grace has deserted us, should he be the next HWSNBN? Just wondering :)

Rob D, Toronto

A: Hell, no. Still a valued friend and travel companion and friend.

-

Q: Doug

Do you think the Raps should keep T Ross or trade him? I realize he is a second year player who didn’t play much last year. I also realize that DD wasn’t very good in his second year. I have seen you question his work effort off the court and I wonder how good he can be unless that changes. That may be the difference between him and DD. When he states that he is having fun in this series, I question his understanding of the situation. His position is definitely one where they need more production to have any chance in this series. So, keep him or trade him?

Dave B, Cornwall

A: My good Lord.

Kid has three bad games in his playoff debut after a pretty good sophomore season on a 48-win team and there’s a question about trade?

Good God.

Yes, I have wondered about his dedication but it’s TWO FREAKING SEASONS AND ONE SUMMER! I have no idea if he will but I would certainly not pull the pin on an athletically gifted 21-year-old who has shown some flashes.

He’s a kid, pure and simple. He’s got crazy athletic skills, can shoot and can be a disruptive defender. To think about giving up on him at this point is so far-fetched I’m kind of speechless.

-

Q: Hey Doug, who says the 1st round doesn't have entertaining games?

1-1 heading to BKN I still like the Raps in 7!

Got two questions for you:

Patrick Patterson needs more run, where can he get a few more minutes (Ross)?

How can they get Ross going, I'm not expecting 20+ points but at least hit a couple 3's and don't look like a deer caught in the headlights??!

Anthony M

A: If Amir continues to struggle that’s where Patterson may play more but I’m actually quite okay with his usage through three games.

You know who the only person is who can get Terrence Ross going? Terrence Ross. There is nothing they can do more than they are, running him out there to give him a chance to figure it out and the leash is getting shorter with each passing quarter. But it’s on him, pure and simple.

-

Q: Hi Doug, I noticed you have been relocated a few seats to the right in the crowded press row in the ACC, and it got me wondering about superstitions – sitting in the same spot, following the same routine, the hockey pucks’ annual beard growing contest in April/May etc. Care to share any personal superstitions or any of interest you have observed with the Raptors or across the NBA? Do they ramp up, like everything else, at playoff time?

Paul R.

A: This is actually quite a supertition-free group, to tell you the truth. No one sacrifices chickens before games or wears the same underwear or breathes out of their eyelids. So, no, nothing gets ramped up ow that the playoffs are here.

-

Q: Jonas seems to have "good hands" and he can put the ball on the floor so...why does it get slapped out of his hands so often when he's driving.

Paul M

A: He’s got okay hands on the catch, he’s too loose with his dribble, he doesn’t secure the ball strongly enough often enough so defenders can whack away at it successfully too often. He brings it down below his waist too often, too, where little guys can get at it.

-

Q: Hi Doug, so I was disappointed to notice that today's "front page" of the Sports section, at least on the mobile edition, is a hockey story. This despite the Raptors winning game 2 of a playoff series last night. I assume the hockey story was chosen as front page because that's what Toronto sports fans in general would rather see. So my question is what would it take for the Raptors to make front page? A few more years to prove they're a worthy team? Or is Toronto just too much of a hockey town?

Thanks!

Nan

A: I’m not sure exactly what version or what time of day you were looking at our stuff but I think we’re doing quite well in the “play” department for basketball. Not perfect, that’s for sure but we’re improving.

The Pucks are always going to be No. 1 until I scream long and loudly enough the Raptors are getting some respect.

We value respectful and thoughtful discussion. Readers are encouraged to flag comments that fail to meet the standards outlined in our
Community Code of Conduct.
For further information, including our legal guidelines, please see our full website
Terms and Conditions.